Euronews

Pope Francis announced on Sunday that he will travel to Jordan, the West Bank and Israel.

It will be his first official visit to the Holy Land and comes amid a new US push for peace between Israel and the Palestinians.

Francis, who has made many appeals for peace in the Middle East since his election in March, announced the trip to thousands of people in St. Peter’s Square for his Sunday address. He was invited by both Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli President Shimon Peres.

The pope will visit Jerusalem, Bethlehem and Amman between May 24-26, 2014.